Atletico Madrid miss out as Stuttgart star strikes €28m Saudi transfer despite agreement with Diego Simeone's side

Millot, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder from Stuttgart, has agreed to a transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, reportedly for a fee of €28 million (£24m/$32m). This deal comes despite earlier links and negotiations with Atletico Madrid, who had sought to sign Millot for around €20 million (£17m/$23m), the value of his release clause valid within Europe. Talks with Atletico reportedly broke down due to differing payment terms, with Stuttgart insisting on a lump sum payment rather than instalments. Fabrizio Romano and Sport confirmed the agreement between Millot and Al-Ahli, with the player already in Jeddah for a medical. The transfer fee is notably higher than the release clause because it does not apply to Saudi Arabian clubs. Al-Ahli's coach Matthias Jaissle, a Swabian native, was instrumental in securing the deal.

Millot had attracted interest from major European clubs including Atletico, Tottenham and Galatasaray. Last season, he contributed 12 goals and eight assists across 43 appearances, playing a key role in Stuttgart's DFB-Pokal triumph. Atletico had viewed Millot as a major midfield reinforcement, but their failure to meet Stuttgart's terms led them to pursue Napoli's Giacomo Raspadori as an alternative. Stuttgart, meanwhile, plan to replace Millot with Arsenal's Fabio Vieira and has seen the transfer significantly boost their financial position given the premium from the Saudi deal.

Millot’s contract with Stuttgart runs until 2028, but his release clause of around €20m was valid only for European teams. The Saudi Pro League deal exceeds that amount by approximately €8m, reflecting the growing financial influence of clubs outside Europe.

Millot will begin a new chapter in Saudi Arabia under coach Matthias Jaissle at Al-Ahli, a club that finished fifth in the Saudi Pro League last season. He is expected to take a leading role in their midfield as they aim to improve their league standing.